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Peace after the firestorm: Epiphany 2020, Bush Fires, Fire-Activated Seeds & Our Nation's Hope
At the end of Isaiah, the prophet talks about the relationship between new life and the heat of judgement. Given the devastation we're seeing from the immense fires since September in Australia, these verses have special relevance.
This doesn't justify arson, or the political opportunism seeking to advance, distract, manipulate and use the suffering of others to feed self-interest. The relationship between new life and the heat of judgement speaks to all of us. It's here, and not with pyromania, or political opportunism that the Word found in the prophetic meets with the pyrophytic.
Horticulturalists tell us that some Australian plants have 'fire-activated seeds.' According to Britannica, these 'pyrophytic plants' include the 'lodgepole pine, Eucalyptus, and Banksia. They have 'serotinous cones or fruits that are completely sealed with resin.'
As if planned to suit the dry, flammable Australian climate, these pyrophytic plants can 'only open to release their seeds after the heat of a fire has physically melted the resin. Other species, including a number of shrubs and annual plants, require the chemical signals from smoke and charred plant matter to break seed dormancy.' [i]
This isn't all that different from how God's mercy and judgment functions towards creation. The goal of chastisement is newness of life – reconciliation and redemption – to produce new life from the heat of judgement. Not just rehabilitation, but total heart transformation.
As Creator, Reconciler and Redeemer, God 'looks to the humble and contrite in Spirit, those who tremble at His Word (66:1-2 see also Psalm 51).' This doesn't mean trembling before God as though He were an old, bearded man with a stick, looking to control through a crushing fear and paralysis. God doesn't need tools that would "convince a man against his will." For He knows all too well that this "man will remain of the same opinion still." The fears of those who refuse to hear are harsh enough. Humanity is not the hostage of a mean-spirited old man.
Through Ezekiel we can know with certainty that God isn't a manipulator or deceiver. He doesn't desire [take pleasure in] the death of the sinner, but desires the sinner's correction (Ezekiel 18:23; 33:11). Although God desires all people 'to be saved, and to come to a knowledge of the truth' (1 Tim. 2:4), not everyone who says to Him 'Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.' (Matthew 7:21).
Tremble in this sense, therefore, is a verb, not a noun. It's decisive movement; to be both moved, and to move. It illustrates heartfelt response based on God's movement in Jesus Christ towards humanity. He is an event, not an idea. After having heard and responded to this Word, caution gives way to trust. Like eyes that have only known darkness, now adjusting to the light.
Tremble speaks of our immediate response to a confrontation with this Word. It is directly related to the imperative in verse 5, which summons us to 'hear'. God looks for our attention. He looks to those who receive His Word with joy, and humbly live out their reply. Hearing with reverence, empowers trust and gives reasons for doing so.
Isaiah teaches us that God is not absent. He hears, sees, speaks and acts. His mercy, as the louder of the two, is never far from His judgement! He never is without a plan, promise or pathway to fulfil both. God will keep His Word. He will do this by overcoming His enemies; those who've made themselves gods, those who, in His name justify themselves through sterile, empty rituals, or celebrate a return to tyrannical lordship of superstition, animism, and the man-made gods of the Ancient Near East. God's judgement applies to all who are 'not hearing; not responding' – those doing whatever is right in their own eyes, but evil in His; delighting in sin, instead of delighting in the things that God delights in. (66:3-4).
For example: 'Oh that you had paid attention to my commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river and your righteousness like the waves of the sea [constant; regular; never failing].' (Isaiah 48:18)
Peace flowing like a river is a promise! It is God's promise to Zion and those who dwell therein (66:12-13). As is the rejection of God's commandments, which outline relationship with Him, so is the rejection of 'the peace of God which surpasses all understanding' (Philippians 4:4). This is more than a peace treaty. The imagery of living, unstoppable peace is interconnected with a life liberated by the restored joy of salvation, and a clean heart, made right by Christ, in Christ, through Christ, and with Christ.
Hence Paul can write, 'Rejoice in the Lord always again I say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God.' This promise of peace like river to all who hear and respond will 'guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.' (Philippians, 4:4-6, ESV)
Isaiah notes, Jerusalem (Zion) will rejoice for peace will flow like a river. God will nurture the city and its inhabitants. He will comfort them, as He confronts them. Hearts will rejoice, bones shall flourish like grass and the hand of the Lord shall be known to His servants and His enemies. Divine justice will bring to account those who have made themselves His enemy.
Our hope in the midst of deep anxiety is awakened by the life of the pyrophytic. These plants teach us that there will not just be peace after the firestorm, there will be new life! These fires will end and the rains will come again.
Our hope in the midst of deep anxiety is shored up in the promise of the prophetic. New life springs forth from the heat of judgement. Like melting resin, hardened, stubborn hearts are freed to be free for God.
In this movement; in this trembling where we move and are moved, may heads and hearts be turned back towards Christ, and therefore towards one another, away from bitter blame and political opportunism. May the light of the prophetic meeting with the pyrophytic, bring to us a renewed confidence in God's promise.
Therefore, may we as a nation sing along loudly, even if with an exhausted sigh, the words from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, who after the loss of his wife to fire wrote:
"In despair I bowed my head. There is no peace on earth I said. For hate is strong and mocks the song, of peace on earth, good will to men…then the bells, rang more loud and deep, God is not dead, nor does he sleep! The wrong shall fail; the right prevail, with peace on earth, good will to men."
It's a good word for Epiphany, 2020. As the world turns the corner into a new decade, let faith in Christ reign, and may the people say, "Amen."
[i] Britannica, 5 Amazing Adaptations of Pyrophytic Plants. Sourced, 6th January, 2020.
First published on Caldron Pool, 7th January, 2020
Photo by Sam Wermut on Unsplash
© Rod Lampard, 2020
In Epiphany, New Year, Sermons	Australia, Australian Fires, Fire activated seed, Hope, judgement, New Life
Australia Helped Spearhead the End to the Dutch Famine in 1945, Few know it ever happened
Nicholas Best recounts a little known story about two Lancaster bombers. One crewed by Canadians, the other by Australians*.
Early on April 29th, 1945 the two Lancasters took off from East Anglia. They flew along a previously agreed upon 'corridor'. The route was 'prescribed by the occupying German forces in Holland, who being cut off from Germany due to the Allied advance', had uncharacteristically turned to the Allies for aid.
They did so, on behalf of the Dutch who were suffering through a famine triggered by the Nazis. Similar to German occupation of Belgium in World War One, the German starvation of the Dutch was a means of punishment for assisting the Allies, by way of a rail strike, which had 'prevented German reinforcements going up against the Allied assault in Arnhem during 1944.'
Best writes that the situation was dire, Holland, 'after months of disruption as the fighting came closer, had finally run out of food.' The situation was so bad, that 'many Dutch had eaten their pets, and were now living on grass, sugar beet, and tulip bulbs.'
Despite 'not having the authority to agree to a ceasefire' [i], level-headed German officials who had sought out the Allies, reached an accord of truce. Thus, allowing the Allies to send much needed humanitarian aid.
Not completely trusting of the German truce accord, the Allies flew a test mission along the agreed upon corridor.
The test flight, as Stephen Dando-Collins wrote, 'had all the hallmarks of a suicide mission.' These bomber crews were 'guinea pigs' testing out the German agreement to not fire on the Lancaster's flying low to deliver humanitarian aid to the starving Dutch. [ii]
The ominous mission was a success, and it kick-started Operation Manna – an unprecedented humanitarian air drop, which involved 200 bombers, flying at low levels, dropping much needed supplies into Nazi occupied Holland.
The first bomber, 'Bad Penny', flown by Canadian, Bob Upcott led the way. He described the event in detail, testifying that,
"when we passed the Dutch coast we saw anti-aircraft guns that pointed their muzzles in our direction. We even saw tanks that tried to keep their gun barrels on us. We were looking right down a number of barrels. All the guns were still manned…The Australian pilot was on my port side [left], flying echelon port. I dropped first when we were over the race track, while the Australian dropped almost the same moment." [iii]**
The second Lancaster was flown by F/O. Peter G.L Collett, from Sydney. He was 21 at the time, and already a veteran. Along with the Canadian crew of the first Lancaster, Collett and his Australian crew* effectively spearheaded the humanitarian mission.
Collett passed away in 2012. Although his heroics are mentioned in passing chapters about Operation Manna/Chowhound, no Australian books have been written about him or his crew. Collett's bravery isn't taught in schools. His efforts and heroism currently only exist as a footnote.
While Upcott and his crew are celebrated, the same cannot be said for Collett. Unlike Collett, Upcott and crew remained on as an integral part of the Manna Operation, drawing a bigger spotlight on the original flight into the unknown than was given to Collett.
Collett's absence from the spotlight appears to have been due to him being reassigned to Operation Exodus. Collett's service record reflects as much. From the dates 1st February, 1945, to 19th May, 1945, under 101st Squadron, right next "Bomber", below the word "Bombing", and above the word "Exodus", sits the word "Supplies", where the word Manna test flight should perhaps also be written.
Exodus ran from the 3rd April to the 31st May, 1945. It involved the repatriation of liberated Allied POWs from Nazi camps in Europe. Exodus itself was an enormous undertaking, '1,000 people per day were brought into British receiving camps; totaling 354,000 ex-prisoners of war by the end of May.'
At 21, Collett piloted a Lancaster bomber full of humanitarian supplies, at low level, with a full crew, on a mission of mercy into occupied Nazi territory. All based on the assurance of Nazi officials who had said that the 'mercy drop' would be allowed to proceed without harassment from the well-armed occupying German forces.
Collett is a national hero. Yet, his heroism and the heroism of his crew, isn't mainstream knowledge in Australia. Even the Australian War Memorial's official page for Operation Manna, called 'Food from Heaven', is silent about the test flight.
For an Australian/s to have played such a significant role in the relief operation, and for there to be little to no recognition of their daring and bravery, shows a real blind spot in how Australians are taught history, and how Australians embrace the importance of knowing what History teaches.
This is something to lament. This is something, we as a society, need to correct. If not for the men and women whose bold shoulders we now stand upon, at least for the generations they saved, in order to pass on the freedoms and responsibilities that allowed their own generation to stand against tyranny, in all its devouring and grotesque forms.
Lest we forget.
[i] Best, N. 2012. Five Days That Shocked The World, Osprey Publishing, (pp.83-85)
[ii] Dando-Collins, S. 2015. Operation Chowdown, St. Martin's Press (p.119)
*Confusion over Collett's crew reinforces my point about the lack of historical interest in the Australian contribution to Operation Manna, from Australians. There are contradictory reports from various sources about whether his crew was an all Australian crew, British or mixed British and Australian.
** 'NX579, No. 101 Sqn. Piloted by F/S Bob Upcott of Windsor, Ontario. Up at 1207, returned at 1444. 274 bags of food dropped. Second aircraft was PB350, No. 101 Sqn. Piloted by P/O Peter Collett of Sydney, Australia. Up at 1215, returned at 1442, 284 bags of food dropped.' (RAFCommands)
First published on Caldron Pool, 15th December, 2019.
Windmill pic credit: Vishwas Katti on Unsplash
In Australia, Australian History, History, World War two	Australia, Holland, Humanitarian Aid, Lancaster Bombers, Nazi Famine, Peter Collett, Peter G L Collett, RAAF, Royal Australian Air Force, World War two
If Halloween, Why Not Thanksgiving: Australians Adopting Halloween Is a Sign of greater longing
It's a peculiar thing to see Australians, who naturally have a caustic view of Americans, along with contempt and suspicion of any kind of pageantry and ceremony, embrace American cultural traditions which involve pageantry, and ceremony.
If the irony fits, wear it. None of what I've just said is untrue.
Remember the hate and mockery thrown at Tony Abbott when his government reinstated knights and dame honors for Australians? Only to have Malcolm Turnbull ditch it, after he lead the take down of Abbott's reign as Prime Minister, and was himself enthroned as Prime Minister in a bloodless coup.
Should Australians completely surrender and adopt the American tradition of Halloween, (one that reflects pagan ritual more than the All Saints Day it is founded upon), why stop there?
If we're going to go "all the way with LBJ", let's also adopt great freedom loving American traditions such as being able to freely wear the Christian faith on our sleeves, without the fear of being dismissed, and ridiculed, as bigoted, religious nut jobs. If we're to follow Uncle Sam's sometimes misguided children and accommodate Halloween, why not also accommodate the mighty North American Thanksgiving holiday – albeit with a unique Australian flavor?
It's not too far of a stretch. Australia already has an unofficial National Day of Thanks. The day became a reality in 2003, is mainly practiced by Australian Christian community groups and happens on the last Saturday of May each year. More to the point, Norfolk Island residents already celebrate Thanksgiving, following the 'legacy of American whaling ships that would make frequent stops to the island during the late 1800's.' So why not go the extra mile?
After all, it's the cohesion brought about by a deep gratitude for family, faith, and freedom, all packed in with a sense of responsibility, respect for history and a binding community, that makes those national days work in Canada and the United States.
These are embedded attributes of a cohesive community that Australian's have lost, and in some respects may never have had in the first place; largely due to our worship of self. Our inherited, arrogant enlightenment, hyper-individualism, the i/it in "me culture". The me, myself & I, over against the i/thou.
Aussies who fail to understand this reality will ultimately fail in adequately adopting American traditions. They'll find themselves stumbling in the dark in fruitless attempts to celebrate them.
Such an embrace of tradition, ignorant of that tradition's meaning and history, is a dangerous, foolish participation in an empty ritual. It goes from one innocent flirtation to an embarrassing gullible embrace of anything and everything.
In the case of Halloween, it unnecessarily places vulnerable children, and a society wrestling with its insecure agnostism, weakened identity, and anxiety ridden lack of self-understanding, in harm's way.
As put by Saiko Woods, a Pastor on Facebook who simplified the content of Paul's words to the Romans:
"Yes men" and gullible women are the lifeblood of EVERY cult!" (Romans 16:17-18, ESV)
The simple, blunt truth is that Americans know how to do community far better than Australians. For all its benefits, enlightenment individualism has created a cavernous hole in Australian society. This chasm isn't hard to see. "Me culture" has meant that families become strangers, rarely meeting more than once a year. Neighbors no longer know each other's names, let alone neighbors knowing anything about each other. This makes seeing groups of children dress up, and troll the street asking for lollies seem clumsy, and hollow, even desperate.
It's also not unreasonable to suggest that Australians adopting Halloween is a sign that the religion of secular humanism is found wanting. The embrace of Halloween is a symptom of longing for the transcendent, that which exists outside of ourselves; a longing for God, faith, family and community.
Australians adopting Halloween could been seen as a longing for familial dysfunction to end; a longing for the gaping hole produced by enlightenment individualism – endemic to Australian society – to be filled. If so, the tragic irony is that God, family, faith, and responsibility, the very things which can fill this chasm, are often the very same things written off as anachronistic, too awkward, worthless, or inconvenient.
This is ultimately why adopting American traditions may fail or even become destructive. The only antidote to this is for Australians to also adopt, and accommodate, the fundamental foundations so closely associated with those who celebrate these traditions. We cannot have one without the other.
These foundations are built on faith, which both justly binds and compassionately set frees. These foundations built in freedom, under grace in Christ, ground healthy families and bring community together.
If Australians are to embrace Halloween, let this be a cautious, informed embrace, with room allowed for it to be rejected. If Australians are to follow North America, let it include Thanksgiving, and a strong sense of freedom, responsibility, community, faith and family. All of which, despite its forced dysfunctional decline over the years, is still very much part of what made and makes America great.
First published on Caldron Pool, 1st November, 2019
Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash
©Rod Lampard, 2019
In Australia, Australian History, Theology	Australia, Halloween, Thanksgiving
The Defiant Voice of the Discerning Voter: Scott Morrison's LNP Shock Win, & What Must Happen Next
Yesterday's election saw Australians choose freedom and individual responsibility, over surrendering their country to globalist bureaucrats and their inherent totalitarianism.
Against all mainstream media predictions which had handed the Labor/Green opposition the 2019 election, the discerning voter – Morrison's "quiet Australians" – made their voice heard.
In many ways the outcome of the election, illustrates that Leftists within in the leftwing media are not reporting properly or honestly.
They have a narrative and expect people to fall in line with it. This is the way we want you to vote, so "vote as we tell you to vote, or else."
Caldron Pool contributor, Dr. Ashraf Selah, was spot on when he quipped,
"This was not even close to being a swing voter's election. This is a clear message that leaders shouldn't be overly smug with virtue signalling and identity politics. Australians don't want to be worse off for the sake of feel-good but do-no-good policies."
And Herald Sun columnist, Rita Panahi stated,
"The centre-right Coalition government has achieved the most astonishing victory in modern Australian politics. The Australian people rejected the class warfare, climate alarmism & identity politics of Labor."
Both Selah and Panahi don't fit the identity box that Labor and The Greens use in exploiting the victims, or sin of racism, ethnic and religious prejudice, for political gain. Labor's policies were militant, aggressive, divisive and un-Australian.
Panahi is right. This election result was a rejection of manipulative propaganda, a collective "nein!", spoken in defiance against fascism and Marxism, in both its blatant and subtle forms.
With the media scoring through the debris and as the debriefing takes place over the coming weeks. Let it be remembered that Leftists have a narrative that they want you to believe. It's constructed to sway opinion towards a collective goal that will, in the words of Roger Scruton, 'always end in totalitarian control.'
Globalism is the new imperialism and at the centre of it sits an un-elected bureaucratic caste whose self-interest has no room for our best interests.
Bill Shorten's concession speech, we "did all we could", selling every Leftist progressive policy and the kitchen sink with it, acknowledges this point.
Under this auctioneering, the anything goes, and everything goes recklessness of Labor and The Green's would have been a back breaking burden on the Australian people.
That is why this election was about freedom. If Labor and The Greens had won, based on the current lineup and their policing policies, the burden of their current ideological platform, would have been an astronomically heavy yoke on the Australian people.
If Bill Shorten's belligerent rhetoric, his call to "fight on" is carried through without any genuine soul searching from Labor and The Greens, then we can expect much of the same Marxist rhetoric, division and catastrophic recklessness, which promises utopia, though a continuous revolution where one group is placed against the next and the never the two shall meet.
The perpetual class war in order to achieve the Dictatorship of the Proletariat, as translated by Labor and The Greens, would include laws of segregation based on the toxicity of intersectionality theory.
This would include excluding Christians and Christianity from public life. Under "hate speech" laws arbitrarily defined by Globalists and implemented by Labor and The Greens, freedom and individual responsibility would be a thing of the past.
The ideology of intersectionality feeds identity politics. It is a politics of division and displacement; a policing of arbitrarily determined privilege that measures the worth of a person by gender, skin colour, heritage, income, religion and sexual preference.
This is the same kind of yardstick the Nazis used against the Jews; intersectionality theory is treason against humanity of the highest order. This is why intersectionality theory must be unequivocally rejected, not unquestionably embraced.
Australians have avoided falling into servitude to the crushing ideology of Globalist imperialism and the Leftist cult of modern liberalism, but the discerning citizen shouldn't grow complacent. This may only be three year reprieve from a gathering storm determined to crush everything in its path.
Remember Israel Folau. Remember Roger Scruton. Never forget what internationally funded, militant Leftist group Getup!'s war on Tony Abbott. Remember those who have already been publicly castigated. The election outcome was not a truce. It will do either embolden those determined to separate Australians into enemy and ally, oppressed and oppressor, or it will expose the misery behind their masquerade.
Let's hope and pray that Morrison is a real answer to this, and not just a placebo applied to a nation suffering from wounds inflicted by its would-be overlords, who, post-election, may not be inclined to hearing the voice of the people, or become "woke" enough to humbly acknowledge the destructiveness of their policies.
The pattern of behavior exhibited since Hillary Clinton lost the 2016 election suggests that the Left, dominated by the radical Marxist agenda of Leftists, will be too busy laying blame on everyone who disagrees with them or didn't fall in and march to battle in their culture war, as demanded the mainstream Leftist propaganda machine.
The defiant voice of the discerning voter; Morrison's "quiet Australians" must stay vigilant, avoid complacency, and not let the great collective sigh of relief sweeping Australia today, lull them into a false sense of security.
Photo by Donald Giannatti on Unsplash
In Political Theology, Politics	Australia, Australian Christianity, Australian Church, Bill Shorten, Consequences of leftism, Conservative, Leftism, Progressive, Scott Morrison
Church Leaders Need to Stop Apologising for Israel Folau & Begin to Show Some Backbone
Church leaders need to stop apologizing and step up in support of Biblical Christianity. It's disappointing to watch key leaders betray theology, in a pacifistic appeal to the Left, for fear of being excluded by them from the table of discussion.
Appeasement never works. It didn't work against the onslaught of fascism in the 1930s or during the Cold War, it won't work now.
As Winston Churchill once said, 'it would be wrong not to lay the lessons of the past before the future; noting that appeasement encouraged the aggression of the Dictators and emboldened their power amongst their own people.' [1]
If John F. Kennedy had let appeasement permeate his decisions throughout the Cuban Missile Crisis, we may very well have been forced by totalitarian aggressors over the irreversible red line into global thermal nuclear war. Kennedy's commitment to his people, grace and the firmness of his convictions was later echoed in Ronald Reagan's 'Peace through Strength'; Reagan's unwavering commitment to build relationship with the Soviet Union from a position of strength, through a policy of mutuality, not fear and submission.
Furthermore, if Jesus had appeased the Devil in the desert or quit at the pain He felt in Gethsemane, His victory over sin would be non-existent; His actualization of the presence of the Kingdom of God, the Gospel itself would have been reduced to nothing more than a birthright from heaven, sold to the highest bidder.
Instead, Jesus stood firm. He didn't retreat. His very presence triggered demons and He expelled them with a command; healed the wounded, called sinners to repentance, and taught with a veracity absent in the burdensome, stern, joylessness of the religious leaders of His day (Mark 1:22).
In recent weeks, we've heard attempts at diplomatic responses to the scripture Israel Folau posted on Instagram from John Dickson, Brian Houston and Simon Smart from CPX.
Their thermostatic diplomatic attempts might seem commendable, but it will not find its intended goal of peace in a conflict the Church didn't start. At the core of their well-intentioned responses is appeasement.
Dickson and Houston may be appealing to Jesus' command to love our enemies, which is honorable, but they appear to be clueless, underestimating the ferocity and ultimate goals of their opponents. These are opponents who have made it clear that they are not only determined to make Christians their enemy, but are determined to impose a convert, pay the fine, or face the consequences religious law on all those who dare to speak truth in love.
For the most part, appeasement is misguided neutrality. It reflects defeatism and surrender.
History again teaches us that few gains are made by giving up, what we can, should and therefore ought to defend. Appeasement in the guise of loving our enemies is a flawed approach. Appeasement often feeds retreat, encourages compromise, and cowers before the tyranny of false doctrine.
Anti-Nazi theologian, Karl Barth's Second Letter to French Protestants written during 1940, makes this clear:
'In the Germany after 1933, when she was overrun by the demonic power of National Socialism, [through compliance and an approved armistice], in order to maintain itself, Christianity in Germany retreated, no longer concerning itself with, or at least was not willing to fight and suffer for, the right form of the Church, let alone that of the State.'
Writing, as he did, Barth encouraged the French to see that
'even if this is the judgement of God on the Church, His judgement does not cast us into a self-chosen neutrality […] Repentance will us lead us to watch and not to sleep; it will guide our steps to life and not to death […] It follows that prayer will not lead us away from political thought and action of a modest but definite kind, but will rather lead us directly into purposeful conflict […] The spirit of Christian repudiation of defeat, the spirit of a Christian approach to a new and better resistance, the spirit of Christian hope will not leave the field to the demons!'
The Church and Church leaders must reject a policy of appeasement that would force Christian theology into servitude to ideology, which demands appeasement and affirmation by only approving the words of false teachers, and false prophets.
The Church cannot on any terms surrender to any lord other than the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the reason for the existence of the Church, for from Him the Church was brought into existence, and in Him only will it find its end. The free Theos-Logos (the free Word of God) remains free to speak to humanity, and this fact will always mean that God's grace is offensive and in conflict with a world determined to reject it.
"For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (1 Corinthians 1:18, ESV)
Church leaders need to stop apologising for Israel Folau, and begin to show backbone and true leadership. Like Churchill and Barth, Kennedy and Reagan, and ultimately in Jesus Christ, we can seek an exchange of understanding that is metered out in order to establish mutual respect.
Appeasement, however, is an abdication of responsibility, it requires the perilous decision of abandoning the theological critique of ideologies, which are proving, and have proven, themselves to be treason against humanity of the highest order[2].
Israel Folau has every right to post what he'd like on his own personal Instagram account. That's an issue between him and Instragam. If people don't like that, then they should simply just unfollow him.
If a post-Christian society is to be as it claims to be: tolerant, open and inclusive, then the people who advocate it should be mature enough to practice what they preach, giving Israel Folau and Christians, the same space and understanding that they demand for themselves.
[1] Churchill, Winston. The Gathering Storm: The Second World War, Volume 1 (Winston Churchill World War II Collection) . RosettaBooks.
[2] For example, Nazism, Socialism, intersectionality theory and Islamism.
Photo by Daniel Sandvik on Unsplash
(Originally published at The Caldron Pool 13th May 2019)
In Karl Barth, Political Theology, Politics	Australia, Christian Leadership, Church, Church Leadership, Defeatism, Empty Mics, Israel Folau, Surrender
Legalising Abortion Isn't Really About a Woman's 'Right to Choose' & Never Has Been: Beware The Auctioneers
Guest post by Jonda Lampard.
There have been lots of news articles, memes and comments after Queensland passed its recent laws legalizing unrestricted abortion. Predictably, there were immediately calls for New South Wales to follow suit.
Although they are already performed by qualified Doctors despite this law, and have been for many years, I was surprised to hear that abortions are illegal in New South Wales. Even though abortion is technically a criminal offence, there are enough loopholes in the law already to allow abortions, (even to girls under 16 years old WITHOUT their parent's consent or knowledge[1]). I have seen comments saying that abortion up until birth has not been legalised under the new Queensland law, however, it has, with the approval or consultation of two doctors. One of those doctors doesn't even need to see the mother of the unborn child's file. What two doctors, who are paid well, to work in an abortion clinic are going to say "No, there is no good reason to kill your baby, take your money and go home"?
A frighteningly confronting truth is that the unborn human has been dehumanised. We're told by abortion activists that an unborn baby is just a 'parasite' or a clump of cells and not a 'real' baby. Through subliminal means the idea is implanted that conceiving a child is the equivalent of contracting a sexually transmitted disease.
Add to this the fact that someone is financially benefiting from operating abortion centres. These centres already openly operate in New South Wales, providing women with a private procedure, so that they don't have to wait, deliver or recover in an actual maternity ward.
There are also the calls from abortion activists to fully cover the cost of abortions under Medicare. This would enable abortion activists to make an even bigger profit, padding their murderous bottom- line with the tax-payers purse. All under the guise of 'helping' women, so that they don't have to pay any out of pocket expenses for killing their own child/ren.
Another frighteningly confronting truth is that abortion statistics in Australia are inaccurate[2]. They are complicated by the fact that only South and Western Australia keep actual abortion records. The other states use approximation based on Medicare codes for post-miscarriage procedures during all trimesters and other situations or conditions that may require procedures like a 'D and C'[3].
This is to the advantage of abortion providers because no one knows exactly how many abortions they perform a year (and at how many weeks) except for them- and they aren't telling. For the majority of Australia, the loop-hole abortion industry is unregulated, and exists without any real accountability.
Australia doesn't need a tax-payer funded murderous monolithic political conglomerate like America's 'Planned Parenthood'. It doesn't need to place graphic sex education placed up there in importance before even Math, Science and English. Australia needs to encourage and cherish the value of human life and self-control, not abort it.
With the level of contraception available to women today, there should be no need for abortion. What happens if a woman becomes pregnant because of a violent sexual assault? Not every woman who is raped and becomes pregnant chooses to abort the unborn child. It's a misconception to believe that conception during rape is a wide-spread issue. Only a small percentage of abortions in the West are performed as a result of a woman having been raped. The majority of abortions are for adult women who have consented to having premarital sex, with multiple partners, without choosing to protect herself, first against sexually transmitted diseases and without being responsible enough to use a wide range of contraception available to her and her male partner/s. Something that can be simply bought at the grocery store. There are likely to be more cases of conceiving a child because of intoxication and drug use, than through the vile act of rape.
There is no excuse in this day and age for abortion. Most Western countries have sex education classes for children. Some, thanks to activists, are now pushing this onto children at younger and younger ages, for spurious reasons. With all this effort and education, it would be a weak case for any reproductively healthy adult male or female, to claim to not know that when a man and woman are sexually intimate, the possibility of conceiving a child is always a high probability. Abortion is not a form of birth control, and there is nothing 'reproductive' or 'healthy' about it, it takes a life. It dehumanises the unborn and pads the coffers of the greedy with the blood of the innocent.
[1] https://www.fpnsw.org.au/sites/default/files/assets/law_on_abortion_fs.pdf
[2] It is estimated by 'family planning services' at one quarter of all pregnancies. https://www.childrenbychoice.org.au/factsandfigures/australian-abortion-statistics If we use the 2015 birth total, approximately 155,000 babies would have been aborted each year. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-health/australias-health-2018-in-brief/contents/births-in-australia
[3] https://www.childrenbychoice.org.au/factsandfigures/australian-abortion-statistics
(Photo credit: Manuel Schinner on Unsplash)
In Guest Post, Political Theology, Politics	Abortion, Abortion Laws, Australia, Opinion, Women's Rights
Democratic Education: Extreme Egalitarianism & The Quagmire of Sameness
In 1944, C.S Lewis wrote:
'The demand for equality has two sources; First, the noble: the desire for fair play. Second, the mean-spirited: the hatred of superiority. If you seek to appease envy: 1. you will not succeed. Envy is insatiable. 2. you are trying to introduce equality where equality is fatal.
Political democracy is doomed if it tries to extend its demand for equality into the higher spheres of beauty, virtue and truth. Neither of which are democratic. Ethical, intellectual or aesthetic democracy is death.'
(C.S. Lewis, 1944. Democratic Education) [i]
Lewis' position can be read as a push back against extreme egalitarianism and the quagmire of sameness. The late American political philosopher, Jean Bethke Elshtain, also brilliantly hummed her own critical tune in relation to this issue.
Writing under the heading, 'Multiculturalism and Democratic Education' Elshtain stated:
'Teacherly malfeasance occurs in instances of unreflective, dogmatic politicisation […] This sort of education fails in its particular and important task of preparing us for a world of ambiguity and variety. It equips us only for resentment or malicious naivete [ii]
Lewis and Elshtain come at this argument from different angles. Both add to an argument for the re-balancing of popular ideologies birthed in the 1960's, and the new societal norms which come from them.
As Elshtain posits, "I wonder if democracy can survive what it has to, by definition allow? Such as, the desires a mob majority, which works against the democratic voice of the people. Democratic freedom must have a framework of responsible limitations, for example, a just constitution, in order for democratic freedom to exist."
The area where this applies most is forced compliance with 'unreflective, dogmatic politicisation' (Elshtain). (E.g.: forced compliance to the failing and flawed ideology of multiculturalism and new definitions of tolerance).
Instead of preserving the vibrancy of a cohesive multi-ethnic society, under one meta-culture, multiculturalism morphs a once united multi-ethnic society, into a multi-nationalist society. This threatens the national sovereignty and stability of that multi-ethnic society, because it breaks with a shared history, agreed upon ideals, civility and common values. It creates foreign enclaves or beachheads, such as "no go zones".
This is the direct result of tolerance introducing 'equality where equality is fatal' (Lewis). The 'unreflective, dogmatic politick's' reign of terror.
Disguised as part of the new educational standard, guided by a good vibes only, 'unreflective, dogmatic politicisation'. The new definition of tolerance and compliance poses as the only academic essential. Acceptance and legitimacy are only validated by an absolute alignment with approved ideologies. In turn, a form of emotional blackmail follows. The academy is paralysed because the academic focus is reduced to how best education can be forced to fit within the new educational standard of the 'unreflective, dogmatic politick'.
Democratic education is reduced to compliance. Academic standards are lowered, while teachers are forced to obsess over appeasing the feelings and fickle sentiments of society.
In not being willing to responsibly discuss differences, for fear of offence or ridicule, democracy wanes.
This narrowing forces everyone into the same box: a secular version of "convert, pay a tax or die." From here academic indifference and complacency replaces the energy of academic rigour. Genuine progress, and the conservation of hard fought for healthy traditions, are held back by the demand for total compliance to the 'unreflective, dogmatic politick'.
Along with a cohesive multi-ethnic society, democratic debate and its ability to preserve the beauty of unity-in-diversity, dies. Political democracy, as C.S Lewis pointed out, is 'doomed if it tries to expand its demand for equality into beauty, virtue and truth [none of which are determined by democratic vote].'
Society and politics, placed under this good vibes only, 'unreflective, dogmatic politick', sets people on a trajectory towards tribalism and slavery. People are then forced to stick to their "own kind": Whites with whites; men with men; women with women; black with black; indigenous Australian with indigenous Australian; Left with Left, Right with Right.
Differences are considered irreconcilable. People are divorced from one an another. Strangers become enemies, and friends become strangers. Thus we come to the inevitable rejection of differences and the quagmire of sameness.
As Elshtain predicted, this flags a new segregation:
'As a form of ideological teaching, multicultural absolutism isolates us in our own skins and equates culture with racial or ethnic identity. [In America], the new multiculturalism promotes commensurability: If I am white and you are black, we cannot, in principle, speak to or understand each other. You just won't "get it […]. Some critics wonder how long it will take to move from separate approaches for African-American children in the name of Afro-centricity, for example, to a quest for separate schools.[iii]'
Extreme egalitarianism is a quagmire of sameness. We arrive at the quagmire of sameness because of envy and (as C.S. Lewis so brilliantly put it) its hatred of superiority.
The quest for equality ends up creating new forms of inequality. Anyone with opposing views or unique abilities is silenced, condemned and shipped off to camps, under the guise of "re-education" or "resettlement." This is all done "for the good of the collective".
This is evident in Australian society. Where very early on children are taught to tow the good vibes only, 'unreflective, dogmatic politick'.
Over achievers are called "try-hards." They're deemed a threat to the collective and are consequently castigated for it. Rather than celebrate the competency and talent of a person, the majority maliciously turn against them. "Try hard", an otherwise encouraging term, is used as a shaming control technique. Uniqueness is squashed into the box of sameness, under the name of equality.
For both Lewis and Elshtain, extreme egalitarianism is a 'phony equality.[v]' It perpetuates that which it says it opposes. This phony equality levels whatever it subjectively sees as uneven ground. The same could be said about the new definitions of tolerance.
Those who want to walk away from the 'unreflective, dogmatic politicisation' won't find it easy.
They will face the same hostile reaction, French philosopher, Albert Camus faced, when he 'was virtually excommunicated from the French Left by Sartre, and his comrades, because he expressed a strong disapproval of the passion for unity that saw any opposition as treason.'[iv]
In not being able to celebrate unity in diversity or find and maintain common ground, democracy fails. The cohesive elements of a vibrant multi-ethnic Western society are then consigned to the prison of a good vibes only, 'unreflective, dogmatic politick'. If left unanswered, Western society will descend into the terror of fascist rule, the shared poverty of communism or the destructive anarchist vacuum of pagan tribalisation.
[i] Lewis, C. 1944, Democratic Education In Walmsley, L. (Ed.) 2000 C.S Lewis Essay Collection Harper Collins p.190
[ii] Elshtain, J.B. 1995 Democracy on Trial Basic Books, Perseus Books Group p.83
[iii] Ibid, p.79
[iv] Ibid, p.120
[v] Ibid, p.74
Originally published 5th January, 2016 & on The Caldron Pool, 2nd November, 2018 under the headline: 'Multiculturalism has failed: Identity politics sets people on a trajectory towards tribalism and slavery.'
Photo credit: rawpixel at unsplash
In C.S Lewis, Jean Bethke Elshtain	America, Australia, Britain, Education, equality, multicultural absolutism, new multiculturialism, new tolerance, phony equality, tall poppy syndrome, Teaching
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Roll up, roll up, step right this way as we take you on a Private Beatles London Tour by Black Taxi. Experience the most comprehensive tour of Beatles sites in London on this journey in a London Black Taxi into the world of John, Paul, George and Ringo.
With your own exclusive driver guide you'll get to trace the rise of the world's first supergroup and learn all about Beatles history. Your guide who is an expert on Beatles history will show you some of the key places that played a pivotal role in the story of the Fab Four as you chart their journey after they moved to London from Liverpool in 1963.
It was the start of a period of time that would see the world of music, politics and social change transform and with it the creative output of these four lads from Liverpool would literally change the world.
You'll see where their manager Brian Epstein died, where John Lennon got busted for drugs possession, the rooftop where they played their last live gig and so much more.
With the locations scattered across the capital the Beatles London Tour by Black Taxi is the ideal way to see places such as Chelsea, Mayfair, Marylebone, St Johns Wood and Soho – the heartlands of the Beatles when they left Liverpool in the 1960s.
Please note that as you will be getting out of the Black Taxi on several occasions there will be a little bit of walking involved in the tour so it may not be suitable for those with mobility or health problems.
Three hour taxi tour of Liverpool visiting iconic and influential places including their childhood homes, Penny Lane, the grave of Eleanor Rigby and much more.


I was thinking this last week how some people will use any vehicle as an excuse to make dreams and wishes, while others simply don't like to at all. Forget throwing a penny in a fountain, and 11:11, leave out blowing on the birthday candles and shooting stars. Forget dandelions.
To those people, wishes might seem silly and nonsensical; a passive action to a purposeful life. Why waste time wishing, when you have the power within yourself to make all possibilities, hopes and dreams come true right??
I can certainly see the truth in that approach to life, especially as an adult with adult responsibilities and pressures weighing down on me every day, but then on the other hand I don't know.
Maybe it's the little girl within me that gets tingly and excited with I see a blossomed dandelion. Feeling uninhibited, I sit down in the cool grass, pick it's long stem and ponder what wish I may grant with this beautiful weed flower as I hold it delicately between my fingers. Once my head and my heart have aligned, I close my eyes and blow it a kiss, then watch as all of its seeds parachute into the wind, carying my wish high in the sky.
I know of course that only I have the power to create my own destiny, but I still make wishes. I still can dream. Because dreaming and wishes can give us hope, and that little bit of what we need to make it come true on our own. Because you never know when eternity is listening in, and when it is, I want the Universe to know exactly what I have in store for it.
love that you crossed out weeds!!!!
Beautifully written and completely true!
Speaking of dandelions, my puppy likes to attack/eat them. LOL!!
Great message! But I still like wishing just for fun, and for motivation! :) I love that you crossed out weed!


Still searching for a good composition, I find these great fun. I used 2 speed lights with different colored gels, an 18mm to 55mm kit lens and an extension tube for macro.
I used a "Subway cup" for a snoot, and I have a barn door on the other speed light, skimming across the surface, sometimes it worked sometimes not. Anyway, hope you enjoy these.
So elegant, Tim. Love the Subway cup. I was always amazed when I worked with advertising photographers how much was cobbed together.
Love those Tim. Beautiful images.
Your note about the kit you used was interesting and appreciated.
Oil & Water 12 (third image) is my favorite, mostly because of the choice of colors. Good Job, Tim!
I must be dense because I do not understand the last image with the subway cup and I have tried over and over to make sense of it. Love all the others though, and do not have a favorite.
The cup has been levered into become a snoot to focus one of the lights avoiding a spill over. The photo is Tim's studio setup.
No worse than me sitting in the dark with a pinprick of light suspended on a two-string pendulum on a time exposure to capture the pure randomness of the ligh traces - all with emulsion film.
OK I sort of understand, what you say. I was looking at the image as a whole and trying to make sense of all the elements working together., not just the light aspect.
So sorry for the confusion. Gary had asked me when I do these table top shots if I could step back and take a photo so to show my set up. So.... before I put the water in the small glass bowl, I snapped a photo with my phone and included it in the post. I just try different things to create different results. Hope that helps understand what that extra photo is. I've put tissue paper in front of the speedlights, bounced off colored paper, The "Subway snoot" etc. Great fun.


"Posumon" or Chinese Massage Oil is a general all around warming massage oil that can be used for stiff, inflexible muscles, before exercise to help them warm up and to prepare them for stretching and activity. This oil penetrates deep into the muscles, improving circulation and warms the muscles. This patent Chinese formula comes in a 1 fluid oz. bottle in a protective can.
This general, all purpose massage oil is great for sore, tight inflexible muscle, stiff knees, sore joints and tight backs.
Can be use for temporary relief of coughs or asthma (massage throat and/or front and back of chest), giddiness, minor congestion, muscle sprains, muscle aches, general rheumatism, motion or sea sickness, mosquito bites, and itching.
Chinese Massage Oil "Posumon" 1 fluid oz.
Also called Bao Xin This oil penetrates deep into the muscles, improving circulation and warms the muscles. Po Sum On is an example of a warming liniment for the circulation, yet it has a cooling effect for the skin. It is made by steam distillation of the herbs, and contains no synthetic ingredients.* This is one of the go-to liniments for athletes and martial artists.


It is hereby notified that the tenders invited vide even No. 1399 dt.19.3.2019 and scheduled to be opened on the same day at 3 PM has been deffered due to the fact that the Model Code of Conduct is in force. The last date for receipt of the tender is hereby extended till 22nd April 2019 upto 2:30 PM and will be opened on the same date at 3 PM. All other terms and condition remain unchanged.


Filson | Filson bags & Filson luggage - Consortium.
C.C. Filson began outfitting gold rush stampeders in Alaska over 100 years ago. Filsons clothing and apparel had to withstand harsh weather and conditions of the Klondike and last the years they would be away from civilisation. Step forward to modern day and Filson's clothing is still going strong, expanding their collection into watches, bags and other apparel all maintaining their reputation for legendary quality, durability and longevity. All our Filson bags come with a 100 year manufacturers guarantee, a true testament to their origins.


An opportunity to test yourself against our course at its most difficult.
The Captain's Challenge was established in 2013 and is generally played on the last Friday of the month with a morning and afternoon shotgun start available. The golf course is set up at its most difficult with tougher than Championship like pin positions on every hole. Any player who beats their handicap in this Stableford Invitation Medley Blue/Red Tee event receives one dozen golf balls.
An Order of Merit is maintained and a winner determined every six months. Points are allocated to the top 68 finishes every month and over the six month period the golfer with the highest number of points wins a gift voucher valued at $1,500.
Members are encouraged to invite guests from other Clubs to play. Members pay a $12 competition fee whilst non-members pay $72 which includes a $60 guest fee and a $12 competition fee. Each group of four receives a cheese platter following their round of golf in the Clubhouse.
To view the latest order of merit click here.
The Brisbane Golf Club is proud to have Vinidex Systems & Solutions as the major sponsor of the Captain's Challenge.
Vinidex Systems & Solutions are Australia's leading manufacturer and supplier of pipe systems and solutions for the transportation of fluid, data and energy. Greg McClure and Ty Morris, both Members of The Brisbane Golf Club are the representatives for Vinidex Systems and Solutions and we thank both gentlemen for their tremendous support of this event.
The Captain's Challenge is aligned with the Leukaemia Foundation. The goal is to raise awareness levels of the role this important charity plays in the lives of those Australians affected and to raise some much needed funding through a variety of activities. Players in the Captain's Challenge will be encouraged to participate in the raffle.
If a Remote or Limited Playing Member plays in the Captain's Challenge, it will be included as one of their permitted seven (7) rounds of golf.
A Remote or Limited Playing Member will pay the $50 green fee plus the competition fee.
The same guest can only be introduced up to seven times a year and no more than three times between the months of March and November (both inclusive).


text:
Organizational Lifespan
Agricultural Transformation Agenda
Agricultural Commercialization Clusters
Livestock & Fisheries Sector Development
Enhancing Impact
Production & Productivity Projects
Agribusiness & Markets Projects
Agricultural Investment Opportunities
Livestock and Fisheries Sector Development Project
Production & Productivity
Inputs Projects
Soil Health & Fertility Projects
Irrigation & Drainage Projects
Research & Extension Projects
Mechanization Projects
Livestock Projects
Agribusiness &
Rural Financial Services Projects
Market Infrastructure Projects
ICT for Agricultural Services Projects
Private Sector in Agriculture Projects
The Agricultural Transformation Agenda was formally introduced in 2006 E.C
The Agricultural Transformation Agenda was formally introduced in 2006 E.C. during the first Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP I) in order to provide a platform to address the most critical systemic bottlenecks constraining fulfilment of agriculture sector goals and targets identified by the government. While it was recognized that there are a myriad of different interventions that are necessary to grow the sector, the Agricultural Transformation Council chaired by the Prime Minister felt that a different mechanism was necessary to prioritize, implement, and track a narrow set of interventions designed to address the most important bottlenecks and catalyze transformational change.
In its first iteration under GTP I, the Transformation Agenda included 84 priority interventions (Deliverables) with particular attention paid to critical agricultural systems (soil, seed, markets), crop value chains (wheat, maize, tef, pulses, and oilseeds) and crosscutting issues (gender, climate, and monitoring, learning, and evaluation). In many cases, the obstacles being addressed – and even some of the solutions being pursued – may not be new. However, the approach focuses on improving execution effectiveness, and going beyond individual bottlenecks to strategically integrating interventions for maximum impact and sustainability.
For the Second Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP II) period, the scope and orientation of the Transformation Agenda has expanded in line with the government's priorities. Specifically, the GTP II Transformation Agenda provides greater support to the livestock sector and includes focused attention on markets, agribusiness, and the private sector, as well as on institutional capacity-building.
In total, four thematic pillars and 30 program areas are included. Two of these program areas (Commercial & Contract Farming, and Agro-processing & Value Addition, are managed directly by the Prime Minister's Office). For 23 of the 28 remaining program areas, all key stakeholders were engaged in a deeply consultative process to identify the most important systemic bottlenecks and the necessary interventions to unlock each of them. Through this process, stakeholders identified two to three major Deliverables and three to five key interventions (Sub-Deliverables) in each program area. In total, 49 Deliverables and 181 Sub-deliverables were identified by stakeholders as the focus areas of the Transformation Agenda in GTP II.
In addition, the remaining five of the programs (Climate Change Adaptation & Mitigation, Gender, Nutrition, Targeted Livelihood Support and Biodiversity) were deemed to be cross-cutting issues that required mainstreaming across the other Programs, Deliverables and Sub-deliverables of the Transformation Agenda. These programs therefore do not have their own specific Deliverables or Sub-deliverables outside of institutional capacity-building for mainstreaming.
To ensure accountability, each Deliverable is owned by a State Minister or agency head, and each Sub-deliverable is owned by an implementation coordinator. The implementation of the Transformation Agenda is overseen by the Agricultural Transformation Council which includes senior Federal and Regional government stakeholders across the agricultural, trade and industry sectors given the cross-sectoral nature of agricultural systems and value chains. A quarterly briefing report is prepared by the ATA to inform the Agricultural Transformation Council meetings and discussions.
Finally, design, planning and monitoring of specific Transformation Agenda Deliverables and Sub-Deliverables is informed by various baseline studies including the 2015 E.C. ATA Baseline Study undertaken by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). Progress of the Transformation Agenda from 2004 through 2010 E.C. has been summarized and assessed in Annual Reports published by the ATA, and in the ATA's GTP II Midterm Review. In addition a range of operational and impact evaluations have been undertaken by the ATA, IFPRI, and various partners over the course of GTP I and the first three years of GTP II.
The ATA's role in supporting the Agricultural Transformation Agenda
The ATA's work and support to partners in the implementation of the Transformation Agenda is focused on specific systemic issues within each Deliverable or Sub-deliverable and aims to ensure enough attention and resources are allocated to generate impact and sustained change towards transformation.
Specifically, in 2010 E.C., the ATA began implementation of the MoALR Delivery Unit (DU) by hiring and seconding staff into the Ministry and other partner organizations. The MoALR DU staff are responsible for providing technical and implementation support to the Deliverable Owners and Implementation Coordinators of the specific Deliverables and Sub-Deliverables in the Transformation Agenda. DU staff also provide planning, problem solving and other capacity building support on areas directly related to the Transformation Agenda, and support program management and other integration activities. Finally, the MoALR DU undertakes tracking, monitoring and reporting activities in order to provide senior leadership within the MoALR and other government officials with visibility on the progress made on the Transformation Agenda.
Beyond the support provided through the MoALR DU, the ATA will also provide additional support to the Transformation Agenda on two specific programmatic issue: Inputs (seed, fertilizer and agro-chemicals) for the crop side and a program area yet to be identified by the MoALR on the livestock side. Based on specific requests from the MoALR in these two areas, the ATA will provide analysis, studies and technical support from content experts. The ATA will also prioritize the direct execution of projects requested for implementation in these two focus areas.
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text:
There are over 20,000 Grade II* listed buildings in England. This page is a list of these buildings in the district of East Lindsey in Lincolnshire.

East Lindsey

|}

Notes

External links

Lists of Grade II* listed buildings in Lincolnshire

East Lindsey District

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text:
Julius Axelrod
5,570Citation Statements Received
National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Mental Health, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, United States Public Health Service, Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
Stress Hormones: Their Interaction and Regulation
Axelrod
Reisine
Stress stimulates several adaptive hormonal responses. Prominent among these responses are the secretion of catecholamines from the adrenal medulla, corticosteroids from the adrenal cortex, and adrenocorticotropin from the anterior pituitary. A number of complex interactions are involved in the regulation of these hormones. Glucocorticoids regulate catecholamine biosynthesis in the adrenal medulla and catecholamines stimulate adrenocorticotropin release from the anterior pituitary. In addition, other hormones, including corticotropin-releasing factor, vasoactive intestinal peptide, and arginine vasopressin stimulate while the corticosteroids and somatostatin inhibit adrenocorticotropin secretion. Together these agents appear to determine the complex physiologic responses to a variety of stressors.
Cannabidiol and (−)Δ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol are neuroprotective antioxidants
Hampson
Grimaldi2,
Axelrod3
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.
The neuroprotective actions of cannabidiol and other cannabinoids were examined in rat cortical neuron cultures exposed to toxic levels of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate. Glutamate toxicity was reduced by both cannabidiol, a nonpsychoactive constituent of marijuana, and the psychotropic cannabinoid (؊)⌬ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Cannabinoids protected equally well against neurotoxicity mediated by N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors, 2-amino-3-(4-butyl-3-hydroxyisoxazol-5-yl)propionic acid receptors, or kainate receptors. N-methyl-D-aspartate receptorinduced toxicity has been shown to be calcium dependent; this study demonstrates that 2-amino-3-(4-butyl-3-hydroxyisoxazol-5-yl)propionic acid͞kainate receptor-type neurotoxicity is also calcium-dependent, partly mediated by voltage sensitive calcium channels. The neuroprotection observed with cannabidiol and THC was unaffected by cannabinoid receptor antagonist, indicating it to be cannabinoid receptor independent. Previous studies have shown that glutamate toxicity may be prevented by antioxidants. Cannabidiol, THC and several synthetic cannabinoids all were demonstrated to be antioxidants by cyclic voltametry. Cannabidiol and THC also were shown to prevent hydroperoxide-induced oxidative damage as well as or better than other antioxidants in a chemical (Fenton reaction) system and neuronal cultures. Cannabidiol was more protective against glutamate neurotoxicity than either ascorbate or ␣-tocopherol, indicating it to be a potent antioxidant. These data also suggest that the naturally occurring, nonpsychotropic cannabinoid, cannabidiol, may be a potentially useful therapeutic agent for the treatment of oxidative neurological disorders such as cerebral ischemia.Cannabinoid components of marijuana are known to exert behavioral and psychotropic effects but also to possess therapeutic properties including analgesia (1), ocular hypotension (2), and antiemesis (3). This report examines another potential therapeutic role for cannabinoids as neuroprotectants and describes their mechanism of action in rat cortical neuronal cultures.During an ischemic episode, large quantities of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate are released. This event causes neuronal death by over-stimulating N-methyl-Daspartate receptors (NMDAr) and 2-amino-3-(4-butyl-3-hydroxyisoxazol-5-yl)propionic acid (AMPA) and kainatetype receptors and results in metabolic stress and accumulation of toxic levels of intracellular calcium (4). In vitro and in vivo studies (4,5,6) have demonstrated that such neurotoxicity can be reduced by antioxidants or antagonists to NMDAr and AMPA͞kainate receptors. Antioxidants such as ␣-tocopherol (5, 6) are effective neuroprotectants because of their ability to reduce the toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) formed during ischemic metabolism. Cannabinoids like (Ϫ)⌬ 9
O-Methylation of Epinephrine and Other Catechols in vitro and in vivo
The Pineal Gland: A Neurochemical Transducer
Anandamide, an endogenous cannabimimetic eicosanoid, binds to the cloned human cannabinoid receptor and stimulates receptor-mediated signal transduction.
Briley2,
Arachidonylethanolamide (anandamide), a candidate endogenous cannabinoid ligand, has recently been isolated from porcine brain and displayed cannabinoid-like binding activity to synaptosomal membrane preparations and mimicked cannabinoid-induced inhibition of the twitch response in isolated murine vas deferens. In this study, anandamide and several congeners were evaluated as cannabinoid agonists by examining their ability to bind to the cloned cannabinoid receptor, inhibit forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation, inhibit N-type calcium channels, and stimulate one or more functional second messenger responses. Synthetic anandamide, and all but one congener, competed for [3H]CP55,940 binding to plasma membranes prepared from L cells expressing the rat cannabinoid receptor. The ability of anandamide to activate receptor-mediated signal transduction was evaluated in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells expressing the human cannabinoid receptor (HCR, termed CHO-HCR cells) and compared to control CHO cells expressing the muscarinic m5 receptor (CHOm5 cells). Anandamide inhibited forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation in CHO-HCR cells, but not in CHOm5 cells, and this response was blocked with pertussis toxin. N-type calcium channels were inhibited by anandamide and several active congeners in N18 neuroblastoma cells. Anandamide stimulated arachidonic acid and intracellular calcium release in both CHOm5 and CHO-HCR cells and had no effect on the release of inositol phosphates or phosphatidylethanol, generated after activation of phospholipase C and D, respectively. Anandamide appears to exhibit the essential criteria required to be classified as a cannabinoid/anandamide receptor agonist and shares similar nonreceptor effects on arachidonic acid and intracellular calcium release as other cannabinoid agonists.Both the psychoactive and medicinal properties of marijuana have been known for centuries, but not until the last decade has a clear mechanism of action been ascribed to A9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active principle of marijuana. It is now known that THC and other more potent synthetic cannabinoid agonists bind to specific cannabinoid receptors and couple functionally to inhibit adenylate cyclase (1, 2) and inhibit N-type calcium channels via a pertussis toxin-sensitive guanine nucleotide binding protein (G protein) (3,4). The existence of the cannabinoid receptor was corroborated with the cloning of a cannabinoid receptor gene from both rat and human (5, 6). To date only a single cannabinoid receptor gene has been identified and its nucleotide sequence indicates that it belongs to the superfamily of G-protein-coupled receptors. Expression studies indicateThe publication costs of this article were defrayed in part by page charge payment. This article must therefore be hereby marked "advertisement" in accordance with 18 U.S.C. §1734 solely to indicate this fact.that the cloned receptor and the native receptor display similar binding and functional coupling to the inhibition of adenylate cyclase (5-7). The ...
A phospholipase A2 inhibitory protein in rabbit neutrophils induced by glucocorticoids.
Hirata
Schiffmann
Venkatasubramanian
When rabbit peritoneal neutrophils were treated with glucocorticoids, their chemotactic response to stimulation by the chemoattractant fMet-Leu-Phe was markedly reduced. Preincubation of cells with glucocorticoids also decreased phospholipase A2 (phosphatide 2-acylhydrolase, EC 3.1.1.4) activity in situ as measured by the release of [l-14C- Glucocorticoids exhibit a variety of biological effects, such as enzyme induction and anti-inflammatory actions (1, 2). The steroids act as a consequence of their binding to cytoplasmic receptors, followed by the translocation of the ligand-receptor complex into the nucleus, which, in turn, affects the transcription of various RNA species (3). The anti-inflammatory action of glucocorticoids is expressed in their ability to inhibit both chemotaxis and release of lysosomal enzymes in phagocytic cells (4-6). Recently, it has been demonstrated that chemotactic peptides enhance the release of arachidonic acid, a product of phospholipase A2 (phosphatide 2-acylhydrolase, EC 3.1.1.4), in rabbit neutrophils (7). Steroids possibly exert their anti-inflammatory action by preventing the release of arachidonic acid from phospholipids and its conversion to prostaglandins (8). These observations prompted a search for a steroid-induced inhibitor of phospholipase A2 in neutrophils. Here, we report the existence of a protein in rabbit neutrophils that inhibits phospholipase A2 and whose synthesis is induced by glucocorticoids.METHODS AND MATERIALS Assay of Phospholipase A2 Activities in Situ and in Vitro. Rabbit peritoneal neutrophils were obtained as described (7) and treated with various glucocorticoids in RPMI 1640 medium (GIBCO) for 16 hr at 37°C under a humid atmosphere of 95% 02/5% CO2. Phospholipase A2 activity was measured by the release of ["4C]arachidonic acid from the cellular lipids, mainly phospholipids, with a slight modification of the method described (7). Bovine serum albumin (1%) was included in Gey's balanced salt solution buffered with 10 mM Hepes, pH 7.4 (modified Gey's buffer). The cells (8-11 X 106 cells per ml) were preincubated in a total volume of 5 ml with 1.25 ,uCi of [1-'4C]arachidonic acid (55.5 mCi/mmol) at 370C for 1 hr (1 Ci = 3.7 X 1010 becquerels). The cells were washed twice with 5 ml of modified Gey's buffer and resuspended in 5 ml of the same buffer. For arachidonic acid release, the cells were stimulated with 10 nM fMet-Leu-Phe for 10 min at 370C (7). 16 hr. After three washings with 0.84% NaCl solution buffered with 10 mM sodium phosphate buffer, pH 7.4, the cells (8 X 106 cells) were lysed in 3 ml of distilled water. After centrifugation, at 27,000 X g for 50 min, the precipitates were solubilized with 0.5 ml of 2% Nonidet P40. Samples (0.5 ml) of 2533The publication costs of this article were defrayed in part by page charge payment. This article must therefore be hereby marked "advertisement" in accordance with 18 U. S. C. §1734 solely to indicate this fact.
Phospholipid Methylation and Biological Signal Transmission
Many types of cells methylate phospholipids using two methyltransferase enzymes that are asymmetrically distributed in membranes. As the phospholipids are successively methylated, they are translocated from the inside to the outside of the membrane. When catecholamine neurotransmitters, lectins, immunoglobulins or chemotaxic peptides bind to the cell surface, they stimulate the methyltransferase enzymes and reduce membrane viscosity. The methylation of phospholipids is coupled to Ca2+ influx and the release of arachidonic acid, lysophosphatidylcholine, and prostaglandins. These closely associated biochemical changes facilitate the transmission of many signals through membranes, resulting in the generation of adenosine 3',5'-monophophate in many cell types, release of histamine in mast cells and basophils, mitogenesis in lymphocytes, and chemotaxis in neutrophils.
Isolation and measurement of the endogenous cannabinoid receptor agonist, anandamide, in brain and peripheral tissues of human and rat
Briley
Anandamide (arachidonylethanolamide) is a novel lipid neurotransmitter first isolated from porcine brain which has been shown to be a functional agonist for the cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors. Anandamide has never been isolated from human brain or peripheral tissues and its role in human physiology has not been examined. Anandamide was measured by LC/MS/MS and was found in human and rat hippocampus (and human parahippocampal cortex), striatum, and cerebellum, brain areas known to express high levels of CB1 cannabinoid receptors. Significant levels of anandamide were also found in the thalamus which expresses low levels of CB1 receptors. Anandamide was also found in human and rat spleen which expresses high levels of the CB2 cannabinoid receptor. Small amounts of anandamide were also detected in human heart and rat skin. Only trace quantities were detected in pooled human serum, plasma, and CSF. The distribution of anandamide in human brain and spleen supports its potential role as an endogenous agonist in central and peripheral tissues. The low levels found in serum, plasma, and CSF suggest that it is metabolized in tissues where it is synthesized, and that its action is probably not hormonal in nature.Key words: Anandamide; Cannabis; Cannabinoid receptor; Marijuana porcine brain and found to be a lipid of novel structure [7]. Anandamide displayed specific binding to the CBI receptor and inhibited a prototypical twitch response in mouse vas deferens. Anandamide has also been shown to induce similar behavioral [8,9], pharmacological [10,11], and signal transduction effects [12] as classical cannabinoid agonists, but high concentrations were required to induce these effects. Levels of anandamide were first estimated to occur at 0.4 pmol/g (133 pg/g) in whole porcine brain [7], and recently quantitated in porcine and bovine brain at 173 pmol/g (60 ng/g) and 101 pmol/g (35 ng/g) respectively [13]. A recent study reports levels of anandamide in rat testis to be considerably lower (6 pmol/ g, 2.1 ng/g) [14]. However, anandamide has never been isolated from human tissue or fluids. Furthermore, levels of anandamide have not been measured in regions of rat brain or in tissues such as spleen where CB2 receptors have been shown to be expressed at high levels. Studies of anandamide distribution should help elucidate the physiologic role of anandamide as a cannabimimetic eicosanoid and possibly broader functions. In this study we report the isolation and quantitation of anandamide by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry in various tissues and fluids from postmortem human and rat.


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วันศุกร์ที่ 12 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2555
DJMax Technika Tune is a Music Game Tailor-Made For the Vita
Last generation's PSP was a bastion of great music games with titles like Lumines and Project Diva-in addition to re-releases of classics like PaRappa the Rapper and Gitaroo Man. However, one music series has been often overlooked, despite having some of the best music games around: DJMax. Why has it been snubbed? Probably because of the fact that, of the series' seven PSP titles, only two have been released in the West. But now, with the release of DJMax Technika Tune, the Korean-made series has the opportunity to capture the musical souls of Vita owners starved for more quality titles. More »
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Canadian professional wrestler Luna Vachon dies aged 48
12 January 2020: Sultan Qaboos of Oman dies
30 December 2019: Radio host Don Imus dies aged 79
29 October 2019: Former US Senator Kay Hagan dies at age 66
28 October 2019: Former US Representative John Conyers dies at age 90
File photo of Luna Vachon
Former professional wrestler and manager Luna Vachon has died at the age of 48. The cause of death was not announced. Vachon wrestled for World Wrestling Entertainment, formerly World Wrestling Federation between 1993 and 2000.
At the time of her death, the Canadian-born Vachon was living with her mother in Florida after a fire at her house destroyed all of her possessions including her wrestling memorabilia. Her death was announced by family and friends.
Vachon wrestled for several wrestling promotions including the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), World Championship Wrestling and the now defunct Extreme Championship Wrestling. As well as performing as a wrestler, she also appeared as a manager for several superstars. After appearing for the WWF on and off between 1993 and 2000 Vachon was released from her contract.
Former employers World Wrestling Entertainment posted a statement about the death of Vachon on their website. They said "World Wrestling Entertainment has been made aware of the passing of Gertrude (Luna) Vachon. WWE extends its deepest condolences to the Vachon family. Ms. Vachon was under contract with WWE at various times from 1993 through 2000, and performed under the name 'Luna' Vachon. She last performed for WWE in early 2000."
Fellow wrestlers also paid tribute to Luna. Tommy Dreamer said "Luna was the first Queen of Extreme. My first manager. Luna passed away on the night of two moons. Pretty unique just like her. Strong woman." Dustin "Goldust" Runnels commented that "Luna was as freaky as me...maybe even more...love her and will miss her...hopefully she's in a better place."
Vachon's death has come shortly after the death of former World Wrestling Entertainment wrestler Lance Cade who died at the age of 29.
"US professional wrestler Lance Cade dies aged 29" — Wikinews, August 14, 2010
"WWE Star Luna Found Dead" — The Sun, August 28, 2010
"Luna Vachon passes away" — WWE.com, August 27, 2010
"Ex-WWE star Luna Vachon dies at 48" — FoxSports, August 27, 2010
Retrieved from "https://en.wikinews.org/w/index.php?title=Canadian_professional_wrestler_Luna_Vachon_dies_aged_48&oldid=1839399"
Mike Smith (Wikinewsie)


In 2014, a sediment trap mooring was deployed adjacent to station Kuroshio Extension Observatory (KEO)'s National Ocean and Atmosphere Administration (NOAA) surface mooring. These data, from July 2014 – July 2016, are used here to investigate nutrient supply mechanisms that support ocean productivity in this oligotrophic region of the subtropical western North Pacific. Both years of sediment trap data show that biogenic material fluxes at ~ 5000 m increased between late winter (March) and late spring (June). Based on sea surface temperature and upper ocean water temperature profiles from the NOAA surface buoy, and satellite-based surface chlorophyll-a, this increase was likely due to an increase of ocean productivity in early spring (March) that was supported by nutrients supplied by winter mixing. On the other hand, biogenic material fluxes also increased in October 2014, and between late December 2014 and January 2015 when concentrations of nutrients near the surface typically are low. Sea surface height anomalies and vertical profiles of water temperature in the upper 500 m showed cyclonic eddies passing station KEO and causing upwelling in late July-early August 2014 and November 2014. It appears that these events supplied nutrients to the upper layer, which then caused ocean productivity in the subsurface layer to temporally increase, resulting in increased deep biogenic material fluxes in autumn and winter. This interpretation of the data is consistent with a simple 3D physical-biological model simulation that shows meso-scale cyclonic eddies can supply nutrient to support new production at KEO. During the two year-long sediment trap deployments, several typhoons also passed near station KEO and near-inertial internal waves were observed near the nitracline depth after the typhoons passed. Although turbulent mixing caused by near-inertial internal wave could have possibly supplied nutrient to upper oligotrophic euphotic layer, numerical simulations of the turbulent nutrient supply indicate that enhanced turbulent diffusion across the nutrient concentration gradient did not supply enough nitrate to support the increase in biogenic material flux in autumn.


Located in the heart of Henderson Kentucky, Henderson Hobbies is operated by Ray and Mary Ann Young.
Henderson Hobbies has been serving Henderson since 1989 and continues offering the finest products and accessories available at the lowest prices and providing the finest service.
Henderson Hobbies carrys remote controlled cars, airplanes, helicopters and many other hobby supplies and is convenient to Newburgh in Warrick County IN, Evansville in Vanderburgh County Indiana, New Harmony in Posey County Indiana and Owensboro and Henderson in Henderson County KY.


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The leading provider of award-winning wireless multi-room music systems, Sonos has finally made their Sonos Controller free application available for Android platform, in addition to app which currently supports Mac, PC, iPhone and iPad. The free Sonos Android app allows the users to wirelessly and easily control music across the home anyway they like right on their Android smartphones.
In conjunction with the launch of Sonos Controller for Android, Sonos also has added support for Apple AirPlay in its latest Sonos System Software Update version 3.4.
Sonos Controller for Android application (4.6MB) that compatible with Android 2.1+ based mobile devices with a screen size of HVGA (320 x 480 pixels), WVGA (480 x 800 pixels) or WVGA (480 x 854 pixels) resolution is now available as a free download from the Android Market.


Originally Published: January 12, 2019 3:48 p.m.
That's what his executive assistant, Marlyn Van Keuren, said recently about Thurman.
"Rather than holding his own meeting with his own agenda, he prefers to be in attendance as part of the community when they have their meetings," Marlyn Van Keuren said Thursday.
At 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26 at the Beaver Creek Adult Center, Thurman will attend the annual meeting of the Beaver Creek Community Association – BCCA.
According to Van Keuren, The community association will include Supervisor Thurman on its agenda, as well as staff from the county's Public Works and Development Services departments.
"They will provide updates on building permits [and] road projects, and Supervisor Thurman usually does the state of the county where he gives an overview of county updates," Van Keuren said.
The Beaver Creek Community Association will also hold its annual board of directors election, as well as a presentation on the group's soon to be distributed business directory and the 2018 financial report, according to BCCA President Janet Aniol.
Though the Beaver Creek Adult Center is currently closed for repairs, Aniol said that the group "had confirmation yesterday" that it would be open on Jan. 26.
For more information, visit www.BeaverCreekAZ.us.
Beaver Creek Adult Center is located at 4250 E Zuni Way in Lake Montezuma.


The Charlotte 49ers' men's basketball team gained a player Friday and unexpectedly lost one.
Early in the day the team received a commitment from West Rowan High's K.J. Sherrill, ranked among the top high school seniors in North Carolina.
Sherrill, a 6-foot-7, 220-pound forward who averaged more than 19 points a game last season, picked the 49ers over Auburn, UNC Wilmington, East Carolina and Winthrop, said West Rowan coach Mike Gurley. Sherrill made an unofficial visit to Charlotte's campus on Aug. 25.
Late Friday afternoon, the 49ers announced junior point guard Michael Gerrity had decided to leave the team, citing personal reasons, but would complete the semester before transferring to another school.
Gerrity's decision comes on the heels of the 49ers' three-game tour of Canada during which Charlotte went 3-0 and junior point guard DiJuan Harris started each game.
Is this guy just going to transfer until things go exactly as planned? What in the heck happened, I know he came here expecting to start and Harris was supposed to just be "serviceable" until he got here. Why leave, he splits time and gets to play an uptempo style. What sit out again?
As soon as I saw the minutes he played in Canada coupled with the amount of time he spent in SoCal, I thought he might leave. DiJuan is playing so much better than anyone could have expected and it was obvious by the stats that Mike would not be the starting point guard.
Sad to see him go. Good kid. Good family.
He won the game at LaSalle for us last year with FTs and sealed an A10 Tourney win for us, too.
Good riddance...the guy was barely mediocre.
Dijuan showed all summer what kind of player he has become and Gerrity knew he'd never be more that a backup. I think Dijuan has a alot more upside and will be one of the big impact players in the A-10 this year and that'll only be a preview of what he'll do as a senior! And he's a hometown product !!!!! Kudos to the coaching staff for landing Mr. Sherill !
Gerrity's chances of playing in the NBA just went out the window!
Can we get Jerrel Lewis or Carlos back?


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Wild provides users with the anonymity that other dating apps don't. For starters, there's no social login required. The app also goes the extra mile to verify its users (meaning, you'll need to send a photo of you giving a thumbs up, which is then checked against the photos you've posted to verify it's really you), helping to take the awkwardness out of meeting up with a potential hookup that looks nothing like her picture. You can also filter by intention, so that you're not wasting time sorting through matches who are here for something serious. Once you've found a hookup for the night, you can set your profile to invisible so that other users aren't messaging you when you're, uh, in the middle of something.
You can even say we're living through a worldwide Introvert Revolution. Just look at the success of self-proclaimed introvert Susan Cain's wildly popular book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking. Her book has sold millions of copies worldwide, a TEDtalk she gave on the topic has been viewed over 19,294,447 times and counting, and she reportedly gets paid five-figures for a single appearance.
Thirdly, confidence is big. Take pride in what you do well, own up to your flaws and acknowledge when you have done something wrong, but don't apologize for who you are. Canadian online dating has been around for a while and is widely accepted, even cool, so saying things like "we can lie about where we met" will put people off. It's not a very confident thing to say.
If you don't have the patience to weed out matches that are explicitly looking for a no strings attached hookup, a quick search on FriendFinder-X will probably make you pretty happy. You can search for potential matches using filters that range from proximity, sexual preferences and even cup size. Too lazy to search? The app has a list of compatible profiles sent to you for your consideration.


Light is the visual language of Hong Kong. A city whose neon culture bloomed from the unity of competitive business with the art of the sign-maker.
The glowing tubes that fill districts like Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok are a mesmerising abstraction for anyone who doesn't read Cantonese, and a familiar preservation of street heritage for the locals (though one that's under threat).
It's a city with more skyscrapers than any other on earth (more than Tokyo and Shanghai combined), sprouting from its core like a flickering steel forest that stretches towards the sun.
A city where tropical daylight bathes the streets in a languid haze, and streams through spiral incense coils that hang from the ceilings of Tin Hau temples.